"One must always maintain
one's connection to the past and yet ceaselessly pull away from it."
~Gaston Bachelard
Good
morning! This quote really got me thinking. One of the facts
that has been determined is that in order to find true contentment and
lasting joy we have to live in the present. If we become overly
reflective of the past, or overly concerned about the future, then we
begin living solely in our minds, versus in the physical world. The
physical world of our daily lives is where we must live in order to
create happiness and joy.
Of course, that is easier said than done! As women, we are very good at
worrying and anticipating obstacles that have yet to arrive. We are
also good at criticizing ourselves for the mistakes of the past. But
what good does either of these two practices do
besides sap our energy from living "in the now?"
This quote inspires my realization that there is a healthy connection
to both past and future, but beyond that, we must pull away from
letting either past or future control what we have the ability to
create in our daily life. We can learn from the past -
but let's not dwell in it. Instead, let us learn the lessons and apply
them today. Let us be "researchers" in our own lives, noting what
influenced us in the past, what made us happy, what we regret - and
let's take this research and apply it to maximize today.
Likewise, let us look forward to the future with passion and excitement
and expectation. Let us realize that if we live "in the now" we stand
the best chance of creating the tomorrow we have always desired.
Your Turn:
Notice today how many times you reflect on the past or worry about the
future. Consciously draw your attention back to "now" -- the only place
where we can create true change.
